Scientists have found a correlation between climatically induced lake level change in Lake Rukwa, seismo-tectonic activation of the regional fault network (underneath Lake Rukwa and the Kanda fault between Lakes Rukwa and Tanganyika) and the timing of the recent strong volcanic eruptions in the Rungwe Volcanic Province.

This relation is explained taking into account that Lake Rukwa is very sensitive to climate change as it occupies a flat depression and its overflow outlet is 180 m above its present-day level. Its lake level rises rapidly when the climate becomes more humid. Increases in lake level mean an increase in the load in the basin and perturbation of the ambient tectonic stresses (click here for more information).